Shelby County Board of Education to host Superintendent candidates’ forum

The Greater Shelby County, South Shelby County, Montevallo Chamber’s of Commerce and Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. will join forces to co-host a candidate forum for the Shelby County Board of Education Superintendent candidates on Thursday, May, 31.

“On behalf of our partners for this Forum we’re looking forward to hosting this program,” said Kirk Mancer, President and CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. “All three of our chambers work collaboratively with schools throughout Shelby County, so having the opportunity to hear from the two candidates seeking this important leadership position was something we all wanted to do.”

The forum will take place from at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby-Hoover campus from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m..

Three-term current Superintendent, Randy Fuller, announced his retirement, effective in December in January of this year.

Looking to fill his shoes is Assistant Superintendent of Administration Shelby County Schools, Dr. Lewis Brooks along with Oak Mountain High School Principal Kristi Sayer.

Each of the candidates will have time to respond to questions determined by the three chambers.

“The Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education oversees programming for 20,950+ students throughout all of our communities,” Keyla Handley, Acting Director for the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce said. “As the unified voice for Shelby County businesses — who will employ and work with these students in the future — it’s vital we hear from these individuals on career readiness efforts we’ll need moving forward.”

“Our schools are the foundation of our communities,”Executive Director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Steve Gilbert commented. “This forum will allow everyone the opportunity to learn more about the platform the two candidates seeking to serve as Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education want to implement.”

The candidates

Dr. Lewis Brooks, current assistant superintendent of administration and pupil services for Shelby County Schools, Brooks has been a resident of Shelby County for the past 26 years. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, he also received his doctorate of education degree in 2010 at Samford University.

“I decided to run for the position of superintendent of Shelby County Schools because, after many years of working in the district, I know the parents, educators and the staff here have such a high level of commitment to excellence in education for the students we serve,” Brooks told 280 Reporter. “I love that about this district and I share that same commitment.”

Kristi Sayers, current Oak Mountain High School Principal has been an educator for 23 years. She received her master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“For too long, we’ve just kind of left the family out, and we all have to work together,” she told the 280 Reporter. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all. I think I have good ideas, and I’m not afraid to act on those ideas. My goal is always to move things forward.”

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